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Yanks

Yanks

Romance · Drama · War · 1979

During WWII, the United States set up army bases in Great Britain as part of the war effort. Against their proper sensibilities, many of the Brits don't much like the brash Yanks, especially when it comes to the G.I.s making advances on the lonely British girls. One relationship that develops is between married John, an Army Captain, and the aristocratic Helen, whose naval husband is away at war. Helen loves her husband, but Helen and John are looking for some comfort during the difficult times.

Movie details

Yanks

“In 1942 everyone loved a soldier”

1979 Romance · Drama · War 2h 18m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

5.9 / 10

Community rating

During WWII, the United States set up army bases in Great Britain as part of the war effort. Against their proper sensibilities, many of the Brits don't much like the brash Yanks, especially when it comes to the G.I.s making advances on the lonely British girls. One relationship that develops is between married John, an Army Captain, and the aristocratic Helen, whose naval husband is away at war. Helen loves her husband, but Helen and John are looking for some comfort during the difficult times.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Yanks?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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The End of the Affair

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The Ottoman Lieutenant

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The Aftermath

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In the aftermath of World War II, a British colonel and his wife are assigned to live in Hamburg during the post-war reconstruction, but tensions arise with the German widower who lives with them.

Ship of Fools

Ship of Fools

Drama · 1965

A varied group of passengers boarding a ship bound for pre-WWII Germany represents a microcosm of early-1930s society.

Maria's Lovers

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Drama · 1984

A World War II prisoner returns home to his childhood sweetheart. However, back home, he discovers that he has to compete to win her love.

The Exception

The Exception

War · 2017

Nothing is as it seems in this riveting World War 2 thriller as a wary soldier goes to investigate a mysterious German monarch at his secluded mansion, leading him into a web of deceit and a dangerous love affair with a local Jewish woman.

From Here to Eternity

From Here to Eternity

War · 1953

In 1941 Hawaii, a private is cruelly punished for not boxing on his unit's team, while his captain's wife and second in command are falling in love.

Sophie's Choice

Sophie's Choice

Drama · 1982

Stingo, a young writer, moves to Brooklyn in 1947 to begin work on his first novel. As he becomes friendly with Sophie and her lover Nathan, he learns that she is a Holocaust survivor. Flashbacks reveal her harrowing story, from pre-war prosperity to Auschwitz. In the present, Sophie and Nathan's relationship increasingly unravels as Stingo grows closer to Sophie and Nathan's fragile mental state becomes ever more apparent.

Jacknife

Jacknife

Drama · 1989

A conflict develops between a troubled Vietnam veteran and the sister he lives with when she becomes involved romantically with the army buddy who reminds him of the tragic battle they both survived.

When Trumpets Fade

When Trumpets Fade

Drama · 1998

In WWII Western Germany, Private David Manning reluctantly leaves behind a mortally wounded fellow soldier and searches for survivors from his platoon, only to learn from commanding officer Captain Pritchett that they have all been killed in action. Despite requesting a discharge on the grounds of mental disability, Manning is promoted to sergeant and assigned to lead a new platoon of young inductees.

Where it lives

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

John Schlesinger

Written by

Colin Welland · Walter Bernstein

Richard Gere

Richard Gere

Matt Dyson

Lisa Eichhorn

Lisa Eichhorn

Jean Moreton

Vanessa Redgrave

Vanessa Redgrave

Helen

William Devane

William Devane

John

Chick Vennera

Chick Vennera

Danny Ruffelo

Wendy Morgan

Wendy Morgan

Mollie

Rachel Roberts

Rachel Roberts

Mrs. Clarrie Moreton

Court is in session

Put Yanks on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Sentimental Softie

“Sincerity is not manipulation.”

The film risks embarrassment to make emotion communal, and that openness is harder than fashionable detachment.

The prosecution The Cool Ironist

“The strings are showing.”

Every cue tells you exactly what to feel and when, leaving sentiment to do the work character should have done.